Have you ever had a true adventure? A real adventure that kept you excited, your heart pumping, your body flooded with adrenaline, sweaty palms, jittery nerves, had you feeling fully alive and present in the moment? Did your adventure leave you craving more or disappointed that it was over? Living through an adventure often leaves one wanting more because of the feeling that they get while they are experiencing it. Then, when it is over, they often wonder when will they be able to feel that excitement again? When will their next adventure come? The thing is, for some, it never comes again when a person is used to living a life of “security” and when being “safe” comes before living a life that that may be perceived as being a little “risky”.The truth that most people ignore, living in ignorant bliss, is that in the reality that we live in, risk is everywhere and there is no such thing as security. We live in a world where we drive cars, take part in sports, fly in planes, ride on bikes and in buses, we use knives, some people use, and some abuse firearms, we live near streets, use electricity, and subject ourselves to many, many, many different other things that can cause injury or death at any moment. We live also relying on money to pay for many of the things in life that we need and want in our lives. Most of us earn this money by either working for ourselves or by having a job. It has happened over and over in the past where financial markets crash, people lose their jobs, their savings, their investments, their homes, cars, you name it… Security? What security? In this world we have wildfires, hurricanes, tornados, blizzards, drought, monsoons, tsunamis, and dozens of other natural disasters that plague us no matter where we live. Along with robberies, muggings, murder, and some generally bad people living everywhere. To be sure, this world we live in is not by any means safe. Now before I scare you to death (no pun intended), I say all this to make a point. While we try to live our lives oblivious to the things that can happen at anytime to us, it is impossible to protect yourself from everything, in every way, every day. Despite all this, there are many people who try to protect themselves by not doing anything that presents a perceived risk to their life, limb, possessions or money. Some will not fly in a plane, but they will get in a car everyday to drive to a variety of locations at an even greater risk because they do not look at it the same. Some people will not invest in stocks, bonds, or funds because they perceive it as too risky. Yet, they will go to the casino and lay down that same cash at a table, pump it into the slot machines or spend it on that newest, latest, greatest gadget that breaks after a month or two; leaving them with nothing. It can be interesting to take a step back and look at what people define as risky and why.But, there are others, the trendsetters, the movers,the shakers, the rich, the powerful, the adrenalin junkies, the athletes, the heros, the fearless, the ones who get it done, THE ADVENTURERS. It is the people who live their lives as an adventure that other people look up to and admire (even if secretly). Who do you think is getting the most out of life? The person blazing a trail of their own or the person that is following the trail that is already cleared for them? Helen Keller once said that “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all”. Truer words have never been spoken. Think about how life has evolved on earth. Animals in the wild never know what the next day will bring for them. They live their lives at risk everyday. They raise their young to be strong and survive the rigors and dangers of the environment they live in. They know nothing of security or safety. They live in the here and now. Their senses tuned in to what is around them, alert to adapt and respond to changes quickly, or else. It is the instinct of survival. We as humans also have an instinct for survival. The problem with our instinct is that we often confuse it with fear. Then we relate that fear to things that pose no real threat to our existence and pay little heed to it in the face of real and present threats. This is why some get a thrill from driving at high-speeds, racing or otherwise, (no matter the danger) while others fear standing in front of a crowd and to speak where there is no real threat at all. When looking at life without the rose-colored glasses on, you soon realize that we are exposed to real and perceived threats everyday. Whether we choose to expose ourselves to living adventurously or not. We were not brought into this world to be sheep, we have actual sheep that do that job just fine without us adding to their population. Think about some of the great “adventurers” from our past that changed the world we live in and the way we live. What would our world be without things we take for granted? Electricity, modern transportation, housing, freedom, and all the millions of other things that makes life in the modern world easy in comparison to a hundred or so years ago. It is that spirit of adventure that creates innovation and invention. A sense of adventure in one’s life inspires and motivates a person to reach farther, do more, pursue a life of abundance and achievement.What you need to take away from this article is not fear of what can happen to you, or sense of foreboding over the negative things that occur in the course of your life. Instead create a realization that things can happen whether you live a “safe and secure” life or a life filled with adventure and a desire to live your life to the full. Yes, you should plan for your future by creating what financial and relational security you can as well as being a responsible, accountable, and ethical person. BUT, you can also live your life in such a way that you are able to to experience all that this life has to offer, while you are able to enjoy all the astonishing and terrifying things that make up the journey of life that you are on. You can do this all, knowing that the risk is the same whether you choose to really live your life, or just survive it.Thank you for joining is for this article on Living Your Life As An Adventure, part 6 of our 12 part series on How To Leave Your Comfort Zone Behind Forever. Please join us again next week as we explore how to Channel Your Fear Into Power.

If you are not living your life to the full, then are you really living to your fullest potential? In the chaotic and demanding world that we live in fun is one of the things that often gets pushed to the end of the list when it comes to setting priorities and pushing to reach lofty goals. But if you’re not having fun regularly, you’re missing out on the entire point of enjoying the life that we have been gifted with. Remember that some of the most successful people and companies on this planet work very hard, but they also play just as hard to maintain balance as much as possible in their lives. Richard Branson, is one such example. Not only does he make a priority of having fun and doing amazing things in his own life but he also encourages it for his partners and employees throughout his Virgin® business empire. Google, Zappos, and many other companies and other very successful individuals share in this credo. It all comes down to this, If you’re all work and no play, try these tips to get you started in a new way of living that can you not only allow you to have more fun, but also contribute to your productivity when it comes time to work.

Be Mindful Of The Moment – Many people just aren’t present in their life in the moment they’re living. Instead, they’re focused on the future. “When I turn 18…”, “When I get my degree …”, “When I win the lottery”, “When I get what I want”. You’ve more than likely heard yourself or someone that you know say something like this before. Instead, be truly present in whatever is going on right now, in this moment. Take in the smells, enjoy the conversation you are having, and experience your life at full throttle.

Never Stop Learning – Many people stop learning the moment they graduate from school. But, being engaged in the process of constantly learning enriches the mind and the spirit. Information has never been as readily available as it is in the internet age that we currently live in. Books, podcasts, videos, and a plethora of other content are virtually at your fingertips. It’s important to always be in the process of learning something new. It keeps your mind sharp and functioning at peak performance and it keeps you in a constant state of growth. Remember that a state of happiness cannot exist in a state of stagnation .

Be Daring And Take Risks – At least twice a year take the initiative to do something that takes you completely out of your comfort zone such as public speaking, hiking a high mountain, running a marathon, or something else that gets your adrenaline pumping and challenges you. Only you can know where your challenges lie. Challenges give you yet another chance to grow personally and professionally in the process of enjoying yourself. Open yourself to a few or more adventures each year, and you’ll stay young at heart, continue to grow in so many areas, and have more fun throughout your entire life.

Get Moving! – The more oxygen you inhale, the more happy and invigorated you’ll feel. Be more active, when you need to walk, do it at a bit faster pace. Instead of sitting for hours at a computer working away, get up if only for a few moments every 20 minutes or so and stretch and breath in deeply several times. Supplying your body with an abundance of oxygen will help you to feel more awake and focused. If your health permits and you are given a choice of taking an elevator or the stairs, opt for the stairs. It will get your heart pumping and will cause you to intake more air in doing so, helping you to feel more alive! And finally, instead of being irritated by your neighbor playing loud music, cut loose and move to the groove. You’ll be a lot happier and healthier from it.

Smile More – It might seem silly or even a little uncomfortable at first, but practice smiling even when you wouldn’t normally smile. Smile as you walk through the grocery store (shopping for health food options of course). Smile while waiting in line at the post office and especially smile when you are not feeling your best or feel a bit irritated. Holding a smile on your face for but a few minutes has the effect of tricking your mind into believing that you are happier than you may actually be at the moment and it ,in turn, causes you to actually begin feeling better and happier in the process. It can be really hard to remain in a bad mood for any sustained period of time when you have a smile on your face. To get the smile going, simply think of a happy time in your life, experiencing something you would greatly enjoy doing, or being with a person that is very special to you. Still don’t believe me, seriously, take the leap of faith and try it. You have nothing to lose except for a frown.

Enjoy Nature – We, as humans are connected to nature and typically love to feel grass under our feet. Take time each day to notice and enjoy the nature that surrounds us. Have a picnic in the park; take a walk on a beautiful nature trail. Make the effort to bend down and smell the flowers once in awhile. Create your own little garden or if nothing else, get yourself a few low maintenance plants for your home or office. You’ll feel more connected to the world, and naturally have more fun just being around all of the life and energy that surrounds you.

Let Go of Perfection – The truth is, no one nor anything is perfect and the striving for perfection can weigh down your sense of joy and happiness when you fall short of achieving it, which we all do. Understand that while perfection is a noble goal, it is ultimately elusive and that all that we simply need strive for is being the best we can be and doing the best that we can do.

Encourage And Help Others – Motivating and inspiring others has the effect of making you feel happier and more satisfied with your own life. Give out compliments and encouragement freely, and reach out your hand to help lift others up as often as you can. In the end you’ll not only be helping others to achieve greater things in their life but in the process causing yours to ascend to amazing heights as well.

Take Your Time – Being in a hurry all the time can drain the joy out of your life. You constantly feel as if you never have enough time to accomplish your goals, much less have time to do anything fun. But, by learning how to take your time and sometimes even strategically do nothing, you’ll begin to redevelop your childhood sense of wonder and joy which leads to not only a much happier life, but a much more rewarding one as well.

Finally, occasionally throw caution to the wind and do something you really want to do. Take a trip to Europe. Take a spontaneous weekend camping trip. Go and visit somewhere you have never been or just go do something that you have always wondered about but have never done, just use good judgment in doing so. Stop the all work and no play routine and never go back to it again. You will live a longer and happier life by just doing it.